a new beginning

The Mellons arrive in America to new beginnings in a log cabin. Dr Patrick Fitzgerald traces the Mellon family's first years in North America.

Arriving in America

After the long journey from the coast of Ireland to New Brunswick - a journey of 12 weeks, longer than it would usually have taken - the Mellon family made their way to Baltimore, where they rented a Conestoga wagon and wound their way through the Allegheny Mountains.

A black and white photograph of a Conestoga wago outside of a barn. A horse is standing beside it. — A Conestoga wagon at the Ulster American Folk Park. HOYFM.NITB.4068

Thomas's grandfather, Archibald, was living in Westmoreland County. They joined him there, and began looking for their own land.

Five months later, they discovered Poverty Point, a plot of land around 12 miles away. The family arrived at a place called Duff's Hill, which provided a view over the cabin and its attached land. The house itself was rather run down, but the family were committed to building a new life and home at Poverty Point. The land itself was seven times bigger than that of the Mellon Homestead.

It was a happy home. No home can be unhappy to a boy with kind parents and good health. His work may be severe, with few indulgences and little time for play or recreation; but with good health and kindness at home, the exuberance of boyish spirits, and anticipation of a better time coming will supply the necessary pleasure and enjoyment.

Thomas Mellon

Thomas Mellon and His Times

Life at the Cabin

For four years, the Mellon family lived and worked at Poverty Point. It wasn't an easy life: there was an economic depression in 1820 that forced the Mellons to make bags out of tow to sell, and they brewed their own whiskey.

The interior of a log cabin, staged as it might have looked in the 1800s.

As in Ulster, the family farmed, growing crops and keeping livestock. However, unlike in Ulster, they owned the farm - albeit with a mortgage - and so did not have rent to pay. Their ownership, along with the low taxes, meant that they were able to save money, purchase additional tracts of land, and eventually dream of building a bigger house.

After four years, the Mellon family had managed to save and grow their property holdings to fund the building of a new log farmhouse in Export, Pennsylvania, some miles away from Poverty Point.

A log cabin, made of two rooms. Behind the cabin are large trees. To the left, the leaves are brownish red; to the right, they are green.

The Log Cabin

Explore the cabin that the Mellons settled into in their first years in America.

New Horizons

The journey of Thomas Mellon and his family is perhaps a typical story the fulills the idea of the 'American Dream': an immigrant family settling in America, working hard, and achieving upward mobility. But this upward mobility was predicated on many factors, including country of origin, religion, and language; these gave rise to unique opportunities to advance one's position in life.

The Log Cabin represents a new beginning for the Mellons, and new horizons. They were not yet successful in America, but they had begun to lay the foundations that meant with hard work and the support of their community and nearby family members, they might be able to achieve some success, financial comfort, and their own version of the American Dream.

Continue the journey

In the foreground of a photograph is a fenced garden and large tree. In the background is a large two storey farmhouse, with red trim and grey and blue logs.

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Life in America

The Mellons build a new house and achieve their version of the American Dream.

An image of the door of a bank, reading 'T. Mellon & Sons, Private Bankers'. Out the door, we can see a cobbled main street and a red brick building.

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Success in America

After a successful career in law, Thomas Mellon turns to a new venture - the Mellon Bank.

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The Return to Ireland

Thomas Mellon returns to Ireland.

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